MOSCOW: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed at a press here the dates for the 2022 edition of the World Cup in Qatar, which will be held from November 21 to December 18.
This will mark the first time in the history of the game that its marquee event will be held during the winter season.
The dates were announced despite concerns from club tournaments across the world that their schedules would be adversely affected, which could have an impact on the whole season. However, Infantino was of the view that tournaments will have to make the required adjustments.
“The dates for the World Cup are set. It will played in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022,” he said. “The leagues are all aware and they will have to adapt their calendars as a consequence.
“In the end it is the right decision. It cannot be played in June and July and in November and December the players are very well prepared because it is almost the beginning of the season”, Infantino said.
However, he refused to be drawn into a definitive statement on reports that the size of the World Cup will be expanded from 32 teams to 48 teams, although this idea was proposed by him recently.
It remains a possibility seeing the quality of competition in the ongoing tournament in Russia and depending on the organizers’ convenience in Qatar to host the matches.
“We will decide whether it’s 48 or 32 teams in the next few months. We must have discussions with the Qataris and then if there is a possibility with the Fifa Council and stakeholders. Then we will decide calmly and quietly what the decision is.
“For now it’s a World Cup with 32 teams but everybody is open-minded and we will have a frank and open debate.
“But if everybody comes on board and thinks it might be positive to change to 48 we can have a look. All options will be on the table.
“The decision [to eventually expand] was unanimous. You don’t have to look any further than the countries that were left out of this World Cup. Netherlands, Italy, Chile – who are the South American champions –
or Cameroon, the African champions.
“Croatia, who are in the final, they had to go to a playoff. More participation means more quality and Mexico, the United States and Canada are going to organise a great tournament [in 2026].”
Infantino also seemed unfazed with the economic and political boycott Qatar is facing from major Middle East player Saudi Arabia and its allies UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain, asserting that football can unite countries.
“Maybe, through Fifa and football, we could bring countries together and allow them to start having dialogue. Football can open up the doors to communication between nations.”
Russia 2018 best ever World Cup
While Qatar 2022 is still in the making, Infantino took the press conference as an opportunity to laud Russia’s hosting abilities at the World Cup, terming the 2018 edition as the ‘best ever’ and thanking all players and stakeholders involved for its success.
“We said we wanted this to be the best World Cup ever and it’s been the best World Cup ever. And we should say thanks to Russia: the Russian government, the LOC, the Russian Football Union. And the volunteers, who are the smile and the heart of the World Cup. All of them have worked very hard to make this event a big success.
“This World Cup has changed Russia that has become a real football country. Football is now part of Russia’s DNA. It has also changed the perception of the world about Russia. Around a million people have come to Russia and everyone has discovered a wonderful and welcoming country.
“The 32 teams that made it here, that made us dream; a big thanks to them. It was them, the players, who talked on the field. Now we have a very special final between France and Croatia, two teams that played an important semi-final back in 1998. Special congratulations to them.”
